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July Tutorial Pheasant Tail Nymph by Allan Liddle

Simple but effective variation on the classic Pheasant Tail Nymph I use when targeting fish in faster water sections on our rivers, especially when fishing ‘French Nymph’ style.

Because it gets down quickly with the 3.5mm tungsten bead you can really work in those wee pockets or drop odd areas alongside the heavy water and I like to fish this pattern either in the middle or tail positions on the cast.

It’s easy to tie and fairly robust which is perfect for a pattern that’s going to take a good bit of punishment as it bounces away amongst the stones or ‘chewed’ by hungry fish. The added flash of the pearl thorax cover seems to add to the attraction of this pattern in spite of the obvious flash from the gold head, however in really clear water I sometimes like to alter bead colour in case the flash can be too much and in fact put fish off. Something to consider is to heat the beads under a flame prior to using which removes the coloured coating and leaves the original matt tungsten grey finish. I use a pins and lighter for this with a we pot of water ready to drop beads in soon as I can see the colour has been removed. Take care however as the beads will get very hot and it’s easy to burn fingers when doing this.

In smaller sizes and with lighter beads, this wee fly works well behind an indicator ‘Duo’ style on rivers as well as on stocked still waters, and is also a handy wee ‘anchor’ tail fly in a team of loch flies especially in windier conditions.

Using the K4AY-SE straight eye hook helps with hook setting as well as ensures this fly ‘swims’ correctly when fished. I like the slightly upturned point as I feel it offers a better hook hold as well, however being barbless means it’s easily removed once the fish is landed and the pressure from the line is released.

Easy to tie, easy to fish and a ‘go to’ pattern for me when I choose to opt for a sub-surface approach.